SURAT THANI, Thailand, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Flooding caused by heavy rains left several villages cut off and roadways submerged in southern provinces of Thailand, authorities said.
Tourists and local residents were stranded in the flooding, which Thai broadcaster MCOT said threatened to be worse than the flooding that ravaged the region in March 2011.
Flooding overwhelmed Surat Thani, and a flash flood originating in Romyen National Park left an estimated 500 households cut off in the Kanchanadit district, the report said.
Several sections of the Asian Highway leading into Bangkok were flooded, and some motorists pulled over, evidently to wait out the flooding before resuming their travels.
Authorities in Phatthalung province declared all 11 of the province districts disaster areas.
